Best things to do with a small dutch oven?

[Anjou]

Just got one, would like to try out some good recipes.

 

[ejagno]

Anjou; I just went to both Yahoo and Google search boxes and typed in Dutch Oven Recipes and recieved hundreds of responses. I checked out a couple and they seem great.

 

[tropicalfish]

Here is a free online Dutch Oven Cookbook recommeded by Walton Feed:

http://www.macscouter.com/Cooking/DutchOven.html#RecipeIndex

I have been very partial to this book. It has some great recipes.

 

[Anjou]

Thanks very much. (I have Googled a bunch of recipes, but was looking for some that someone here actually had some experience with.)

Man these suckers are heavy... glad I didn't get the big one.

 

[Gingergirl]

I have a 6 qt. My only experience has been with bread and stew in the oven. No special recipes. I have found that things burn more quickly, especially from the lid.

 

[Charlie]

Are you going to use it in your oven, on a burner or in coals in a fireplace/campfire? I have a couple tried and true ones for campfire cooking! We use ours several times a week in various ways.

 

[Anjou]

Well I'll start with the oven but could do with a campfire recipe of course

... by the way, can I ask an 'idiot question'?

Why/how is the taste/cook time of anything done over a campfire actually any different, if it is, than say, your oven?

 

[PilotFighter]

Try www.campfirecafe.com They have a weekly cooking show on the RFDTV channel, and use nothing but dutch ovens.

 

[PollyParakeet]

Hi, Anjou~
My favorite thing to cook in our cast-iron dutch oven is chicken. It's easy ~ Heat some oil in your dutch oven on top of the stove and brown the chicken, breast down, for a couple of minutes ~ flip it over and while it is browning on the back side, season it as desired. You can use cajun seasoning, chili powder, etc. for that rotisserie chicken flavor, or just salt & pepper ~ whatever you like. Pour about 1/4 cup cooking wine over the top, put the lid on, and stick it in the oven for about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs at 350. Very quick and easy, and absolutely the juiciest roasted chicken I've ever had!

Enjoy your dutch oven! I look forward to others' ideas, too.

~Polly

 

[MissTina]

I just bought one too at a garage sale. I don't think it's ever been used but does look seasoned, should I do anything to it?

 

[MissTina]

Pour about 1/4 cup cooking wine over the top, put the lid on, and stick it in the oven for about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs at 350. Very quick and easy, and absolutely the juiciest roasted chicken I've ever had!

Instead of cooking wine would chicken broth be alright?

 

[PollyParakeet]

Hi, Tina~
I think broth would work wonderfully ~ or even a bit of water should work ok. It just needs a little moisture to get the steam going.

Another note ~ the rich broth created in the bottom as the chicken cooks makes the *best* chicken gravy to go on potatoes and/or dressing!

Blessings,
~Polly